Our Mission

  • To demonstrate that a full and active life is possible beyond the diagnosis of breast cancer.
  • To improve the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual health of members.
  • To encourage members to strive for personal excellence in and outside of the dragon boat.
  • To stress the importance of physical fitness in the fight again breast cancer.
  • To present an opportunity to be part of an athletic team and to share in the inherent satisfaction of striving for a common goal.
  • To provide regular opportunities for members to experience joy, laughter and support in a totally non-threatening environment.
  • To serve as an example to our community.
  • To raise awareness of breast cancer and all its implications in our own community and beyond.

Boats, Breasts and Blessings

We're all in the same boat. Literally and figuratively. The literal boat is a beauty--long and sleek,adorned with a gilded dragon's head and tail--swift and sturdy. The euphamistic vessel is another story--a hapless abomination. Breast cancer! We all have breast cancer. Ours is a perilous craft!

"We" are "Busting Out" Breast Cancer Action's dragon boat team. Plucked from diverse age groups,professions,backgrounds and fitness levels we have been plunked in both these boats by the great equilizer--breast cancer.

We have become a team. Seventy strong. Our mission is simple:to raise awareness of this disgusting disease which is sysematically robbing us of our friends,our dreams,our futures. In the process we have developed bonds which can never be broken and strength which will serve us well in whatever may lie ahead.

Neophyte athletes,most of us. Propelled by fear and hope and desperation.Pushing ourselves beyond limits we thought were possible we challenge the bodies that have betrayed us. We paddle with fury,fired by a unique combination of rage and joy and love. We paddle for ourselves and for our children.We paddle for our friends who have lost the fight.We paddle for Nicole and Carol and Linda and Norma......

Ours is not a sombre team however. Raucous laughter whirls around us as we practice on the Rideau River. Lusty singing draws attention to the women in the fuschia shirts,many breastless or lopsided like Amazon warriors. We twist. We shout.

Travel has become an important part of our agenda. Competing in festivals far and wide has fueled our latent competitiveness. We will win the race. We will win the battle!

Images have been etched on my heart:

In Ottawa........ A rose presented by the bereaved husband of one of our own.

In Montreal........Joy reflecting from my team mates'eyes as we partied like adolescents at the Y.

In Toronto.........Tears flowing freely on carnation blossoms tossed into Lake Ontario in memory of dear friends. (We won the Breast Cup Sept.99!)

In Halifax........A perfect week saturated with perfect(almost)friends.

We enjoy every paddling season. Watch for us practicing Tuesday and Thursday evenings from May to October. We'll probably be singing our team song "Glory Glory We're Amazing" (We are, you know.) Guaranteed you'll hear laughter.

We are blessed. We have found the proverbial silver lining. We're alive.We can sing and laugh and paddle. We're all together in a boat I can think of worse places to be.